As has become routine, Hokusei Jyuku were pleased to welcome Sensei Steve Rawson 7th Dan and Sensei Pam Rawson 7th Dan back to Norway, as it happens exactly one calendar year on from their visit in 2022. And for the most part, routine and reinforcing routine was the name of the game for this now well established event in the Shikukai calendar.
The training schedule ran exactly as before with the club juniors under instruction for the first 1.5 hours of the Saturday session. Unfortunately, course attendance was adversely affected by illness this year but that certainly did not stop those that did manage to make it, getting the most out of the course.
Sensei Steve set the kids off with some punching and kicking drills moving left and right 90 degrees at a time in a circle on-the-spot sequence that got them concentrating on their balance and particularly resetting in order to improve their action, with speed of course demanded. Activities then progressed to some punching practice into instructor handheld pads to gauge if the juniors had ‘titanium or fluffy pillow’ punches, and of course there were no fluffy pillows to be found.
Further drill variations gave the students the opportunity to focus on making sure that they pulled back their punches the correct amount before each in turn found themselves in the middle of the class, punching faster than whoever they had in front of them, as they faced off each fellow student. The junior session ended with instruction on Pinan Nidan for the more senior members of the group and all are congratulated on their effort and concentration throughout.
Before the adult session began there was the obligatory club photograph with parents able to take their own images of their children and meet and greet the now swelled group.
Saturday’s adult session began with an explanation by Sensei Steve on the theme of this year’s Autumn course, discussing Sugasawa Sensei’s aim at improving attacking focus when carrying out pair work kata…
Instruction began in earnest with Kihon drills, emphasising the above theme and ensuring body control was constantly being tested to improve any technique being asked for. The Dan grade basics in particular were sequenced with various points being reinforced for the benefit of all, not just the students who are closest to that level. The visiting Senseis were able to add refined detail and provide innovative drills to cure ills and improve skills.
The session then moved on to the Kihon pair work variations that were taught on the Autumn course. Not all were covered on the Saturday session but the foundations were firmly laid ready to complete them all during the Sunday session.
The session ended with Pinan Sandan making sure that the students who could not rejoin us on the Sunday maximised their Saturday attendance; followed by a wash and brush up of Naihanchi kata.
As with all courses time passes so quickly and no sooner had Saturday’s training ceased, when Sunday’s was upon us; although there was a very pleasant evening gathering at the Wymer’s which attendees appeared to enjoy between sessions…
After the Sunday warm up, basics were again practiced before some extra beneficial kicking improvement drills using the wall bars were introduced. These were not totally new to the club but certainly concentrated some minds and resulted in some strange groaning noises which were interesting.
The rest of the session was taken up by instruction on Rohai, completion of the Kihon kumite pair work variations shown on the Autumn course (including the last one where I acted as a perfect dummy for Sensei Steve’s reactions to my attack) plus some additional pair work drills aimed at improving distance and timing. There was also time for some light sparring drills before the finish bell was sounded.
Interspersed throughout the instruction (and the social), Japanese terms and phrases were discussed, including Kobo no ichi and Koshi wo kiru to name but two. Sensei Pam’s extensive knowledge of not only the Japanese terms but also their relevance to our Wado technique and world, adds greatly to a student’s journey and acts as a welcome additional stimulant to the martial arts learning process.
In summary, another great weekend enjoyed by the northern outpost of the Shikukai family. We are now looking at growing the course, as discussed before that pesky COVID thing, so if you are interested please feel free to let me know.
And lastly, many thanks again to Senseis Steve and Pam for their continued support to the Hokusei Jyuku.
Sensei Bob Wymer 5th Dan
Hokusei Jyuku
Shikukai Karate-Do International 